Spatial numerical ranges of elements of Banach algebras

In this paper, the notion of spatial numerical range of elements of Banach algebras without identity is studied. Specifically, the relationship between spatial numerical ranges, numerical ranges and spectra is investigated. Among other results, it is shown that the closure of the spatial numerical range of an element of a Banach algebra without Identity but wlth regular norm is exactly its numerical range as an element of the unitized algebra. Futhermore, the closure of the spatial numerical range of a hermitian element coincides with the convex hull of its spectrum. In particular, spatial numerical ranges of the elements of the Banach algebraC0(X)are described.

Polynomials in a hermitian element

For an element a of a unital Banach algebra A with dual space A′, we define the numerical range V(a) = {f(a):f ∊ A′, ∥f∥ = f(1) = 1}, and the numerical radius v(a) = sup{⃒z⃒:z ∊ V(a)}. An element a is said to be Hermitian if V(a) ⊆ ℝ ,equivalently ∥exp (ita)∥ = 1(t ∊ ℝ). Under the condition V(h) ⊆ [-1, 1], any polynomial in h attains its greatest norm in the algebra Ea[-1,1], generated by an element h with V(h) = [-1, 1].

The spectral theorem in Banach algebras

The concept of a hermitian element of a Banach algebra was first introduced by Vidav [21] who proved that, if a Banach algebra 𝒜 has “enough” hermitian elements, then 𝒜 can be renormed and given an involution to make it a stellar algebra. (Following Bourbaki [5] we shall use the expression “stellar algebra” in place of the term “C*-algebra”.) This theorem was improved by Berkson [2], Glickfeld [10] and Palmer [17]. The improvements consist of removing hypotheses from Vidav's original theorem and in showing that Vidav's new norm is in fact the original norm of the algebra. Lumer [13] gave a spatial definition of a hermitian operator on a Banach space E and proved it to be equivalent to Vidav's definition when one considers the Banach algebra 𝓛(E) of continuous linear mappings of E into E.